Page 8 of New Year's Renovations

“I’ll meet you at 8:30 then?”

“Perfect.” She beamed at me and I instinctively knew I was about to lose two hundred dollars to Loganandbreak my resolution in the first month of the damn year unless I found someone else to do this job.

Because there was zero chance I could resist those perfect pink lips and that sweet smile for an entire renovation project.

No freaking way.

* * *

I pulledup to Bramblehill House a few minutes early the next morning. From the outside alone, I knew this house needed a substantial amount of work. Harper hadn’t been kidding when she said the place could use some landscaping. In tree versus house, the trees were currently winning. Gnarled bushes almost totally obscured the ground-floor windows, which meant the window casings were either moldy or rotting or both.

Grabbing my clipboard, I walked up the drive and started taking notes: landscaping–check. Driveway repair–check. Window replacement–check. New front door–probably. I hoped Harper’s aunt left her a renovation budget or this project might break her piggy bank.

Harper swung the front door open before I could even knock. Wearing tight black leggings and an oversized gray sweatshirt that hung off her slim shoulder, her hair was pulled back in a messy bun and she managed to be adorable and sexy all at the same time.

Damn it. I could still turn around and head back to my truck. Walk away, play it safe, not get involved.

“Hey, thanks for coming.” She placed a hand on my forearm and squeezed, and it was like she was pumping my actual heart during CPR, life surging back into me.

“Sure, no problem.” I shoved my doubts aside and crossed into the musty foyer, my nose wrinkling.

“We definitely need to check all the major systems. I’m sure you’ve noticed the damp smell.”

She grimaced. “Yeah. I’m not sure where it’s coming from, but clearing the air in here is my top priority.”

I did a full 360, taking in the wallpaper, the wood floors, the high ceilings. “We should be able to refinish the floors for you. That will save a bunch of money, and the wood’s in pretty good shape for the age of the home. What are you thinking as far as the décor goes? Are you wanting more wallpaper to keep with the Victorian tone, or were you thinking of doing a modern update?”

Harper rested her hand on her hip, her head cocked to the side as she thought about it. “Probably a modern update, with vintage touches. What do you think? Would that work in this market?”

“Definitely,” I said, nodding. “This is a great location, too. You’re only a few blocks from the beach here, so you should attract a decent rental market for at least two seasons. Maybe even three.”

“Great, that’s what I like to hear.” She smiled at me and a thrum of electric excitement hummed through my body.

“Where to next? Lead the way.” I motioned with my clipboard and she walked me through the formal dining room, then into the kitchen.

“The kitchen gets great light, but I’m thinking new cabinetry, flooring, countertop, appliances.”

I listened to her list as I moved around the room, running water in the sink, lighting the gas burners on the stove, checking electrical outlets.

“We could definitely do that. What do you think about tearing out this bank of cabinets,” I tapped on the upper cabinets nearest my head, “removing this countertop, and putting in an island?”

She clapped her hands together, her eyes glittering with excitement. “Ooh, I love it! That sounds amazing. White quartz counters and white cabinets, with vintage-y knobs. Stainless steel appliances, a nice hood over the range.”

“Sounds good. Let’s take a look out back.” I grabbed the brass knob and pulled, trying to open the door to the yard, but it was stuck. “We’ll have to fix this.” I put some force into it, jerking the door hard. It finally flung open, knocking me off balance and spinning me around, straight into Harper’s chest.

“So sorry,” I said, pulling my hands away from her breasts, heat rising in my face.

She gazed up at me, our bodies still pressed close together. I hoped she couldn’t feel heat rising anywhere else.

“It’s okay.”

I cleared my throat, my mouth suddenly dry. “Um, let’s have a look outside.”

I reluctantly stepped away from the warmth of her body and out into the cold winter air. Ice crystals hung off the deck railing, glistening in the clear morning sun.

“Deck’s going to need some repairs. Might even have to rebuild it,” I said, bending down and inspecting the rotting wood. “Better be careful out here.”

“Definitely.”

---